Category: Industry News
Increased Social Security Benefits Are Coming for the Disabled Community
A 2022 cost-of-living adjustment will positively impact Social Security benefits for the disabled community. The increase, tied to the Consumer Price Index, is the highest since 1982 and the most significant in over ten years. Additionally, the infrastructure bill continues to make its way through the legislative process. In this post, Direct Care Innovations reviews […]
Jobs Act Provides Better Jobs and Better Care for Those with Disabilities
Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) sometimes face difficult choices. For instance, they can live in segregated settings, such as group homes, attend day programs, or aim for community living with home and community-based services (HCBS). However, the service system must evolve to offer self-directed, person-centered care for those with disabilities. At Direct Care […]
Vaccine Mandates Could Leave Those with IDD Awaiting Care
President Biden recently announced the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which requires healthcare workers to get vaccinated or face losing their jobs. You’ve probably heard about the healthcare worker shortage hospitals are experiencing all across the country. As a result, many employees in the healthcare industry have resigned or faced termination. At Direct Care Innovations, we understand […]
Employers Increasingly Post “Urgent” Home Health Care Job Openings
Job postings on Indeed qualified as “urgent hires” have increased 50% since January, 2021. Many of the open positions with urgent needs are in the healthcare field. At Direct Care Innovations, we support the managed healthcare and home healthcare providers serving people with intellectual disabilities. This segment, too, feels the weight of the current situation. […]
Funding Keeps Those Living With Developmental Disabilities in the Home
Funding and home healthcare staffing shortages could combine to create an untenable situation for those living with developmental disabilities in the home. Many of those with disabilities have loved ones and family members who provide care, and they don’t want congregate care. That being said, many factors contribute to their ongoing needs and their loved […]
Disability Advocates Praise Recent Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare
The Supreme Court recently refused to hear a case against the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is also known as Obamacare. Why? They declined to hear the case because it lacked standing. Regardless, many healthcare advocates, including those who support people living with disabilities, consider it a huge win. To that end, Direct Care Innovations […]
How to Prepare for the Electronic Visit Verification Mandate
By now, you’re familiar with the federal Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) regulation. The mandate requires caregivers for the elderly or developmentally disabled to track visits electronically. In addition to the length of time and other visit details, GPS functionality also fulfills the requirement. Direct Care Innovations understands the burdens placed on caregiver agencies and managed […]
Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Includes Caregiver Pay Raise
Those struggling with intellectual disabilities who can’t live independently rely on loved ones or paraprofessionals to provide care. In either scenario, lack of consistency and low wages present obstacles to quality care. President Biden’s infrastructure plan includes a $400 billion provision in Medicaid to support caregiver pay raises to address this issue. In this post, […]
Letter to the CDC Seeks Equal Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization
At least 17 groups advocating for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) penned a letter on February 22, 2021, to leadership at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The groups strongly encouraged the CDC to include all those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in COVID-19 vaccine prioritization. Direct Care Innovations supports these advocacy […]
American Jobs Plan Proposes Increased HCBS Funding
President Joe Biden recently unveiled a $2 trillion infrastructure plan, and people have been clamoring to uncover the proposal’s details. So far, it is clear the American Jobs Plan includes hefty spending on programs unrelated to traditional infrastructure. However, the proposed level of investment into programs such as home- and community-based services (HCBS) stands to […]